All of us here at C&P understand how important that first cup of coffee can be in the morning and we’re dedicated to helping you make that cup as perfect as possible. The machines we sell here are of the best quality and performance. We know the quality our customers expect so we’ve tested each and every machine we sell and will not list a product unless it meets our standards. Choosing the right coffee grinder can be intimidating. With countless brands and models, confusing terminology and endless features we know it can be a lot to make a decision. Lets go over the basics of selecting the right coffee grinder for you.

The Beans

Finding the best beans for espresso can be challenging. The beans are a vital component to making quality espresso. Have you ever bought expensive beans from Starbucks only to get disappointing espresso? Sure you have. We all have. This is because Starbucks burns the crap out of their beans. Not good for the best tasting espresso. Make sure your beans have been roasted recently (within the last week for the best results). Old beans will yield poor tasting espresso.

The Grind

Depending on your preference, whether you’re looking to make simple ground coffee, espresso or are using a French press, look for a coffee grinder that has the capability to adjust the grind. To explain further, espresso requires a much finer grind than drip coffee or French press coffee. If you’re looking to make all types of coffee, the Mazzer Mini offers multiple grind settings so you can grind for every type of coffee. It’s best to look for a grinder that can make every type of coffee.

The best coffee grinders these days allows the user to finely tune the grind so they can experiment with different types of coffees and flavor profiles to make the best espresso possible.

The Dosage

The amount of coffee placed in the Portafilter will directly affect the espresso produced. Too much coffee and you’ll typically see a very slow poured shot, as the water can’t break through. Too little, and your shot will pour out like water. You’re looking for something in the middle. If you’re someone that has trouble consistently controlling the dosage, look for a machine with an attached doser. What this will do is allow you to time the grinding giving you the same amount of coffee every time. The end result? - Consistent shots of espresso.

Flat vs. Conical Burrs

Ah, the question most first timers have a hard time figuring out. What in the world are a flat and conical burrs? Which is better? Which is better for me? Do they even matter? Well, depending on what you want out of your espresso, yes they do.

Burrs are the part of the grinder that crushes the beans into the same size. This is a very important step in the espresso process.

Conical Burrs

Conical burrs consist of two cone shaped burrs with ridges that grind the beans.

Flat Burrs

Flat burrs have two identical rings of burrs. Beans drip between the burrs, ground them and then drop.

Ok – So which is better?

Coffee nerds all have their theories as to which type of burr is better. Most are nonsense and unable to be proven. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with either one but we’re here to explain the differences.

Because of their shape, flat burrs typically retain more grounds. Every grinder is different but this statement is fairly consistent. The downside to this is you’ll probably go through coffee beans quicker.

Conical burrs are easier to operate, adjust and dial in. Baristas typically prefer conical burrs, as there is less work to be done and are easier to dial in. This is important if you’re using your coffee grinder multiple times a day. Usually they require less adjustment to flat burr grinders. In addition, conical burrs grinders bring out different flavors from the beans. Most professional baristas will tell you a conical grinder will bring out the bright flavors in beans where flat burr grinders are better at bringing out darker notes. So, depending on the coffee you purchase, each grinder has different strengths and capabilities.